Raees banned in Pakistan

Rahul Dholakia’s crime drama Raees has been banned in Pakistan. Its scheduled release on 5 February was cancelled on grounds of the censor board dubbing the film as an inappropriate portrayal of Muslims.

Two months ago, certain sections of the Shia community in India had also objected to a shot in the trailer of the film in which Khan was seen jumping over a sacred religious structure. However, the issue was resolved mutually as it never obstructed the release of the film, which was passed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)wityh a U/A certificate and six minor verbal cuts.

The  film was banned because its content undermines Islam and a specific religious sect. It also portrays Muslims as criminals, wanted men and gangsters. Shah Rukh Khan, who is also a co-producer of the film, plays a Muslim gangster in the film.

Dholakia expressed his disappointment in the Pakistan censor board as he claimed that people across all communities are loving the film, as indicated by its box office collection both in India and overseas, including in Muslim-dominated countries like the UAE, Oman and Bahrain. Mid-Day quotes him as saying, “I think this ban will lead to rampant piracy since people across the border will definitely watch it.”